Method for Deep Tissue Laser Treatments Using Low Intensity Laser Therapy Causing Selective Destruction of Nociceptive Nerves

ABSTRACT

Deep Tissue Low Intensity Laser Therapy or Treatment (DT-LILT) as described here is a novel methodology through which selective destruction of nociceptive (pain) nerves can be brought upon by a medical laser delivery system using the phenomenon of absorption and cell resonance. Using this method nerve cells that transmit pain can be selectively destroyed leaving the surrounding tissues intact as no heat is generated. The delivery system incorporates a fine needle through which a 703 nm (range 690 to 710) pulsed wave low intensity laser is delivered deep into the body, directly to the area of pain causing selective destruction of pain nerves. Laser devices based on this methodology should be used only by the physician or equivalent professional community since diagnosing and defining the area of pain is critical to providing successful pain relief.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/122,393 with a Filing Date: Dec. 14, 2008 by the same present inventor having the same title.

BACKGROUND FIELD

This application relates to laser medical devices and its use in pain medicine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Contents of the provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/122,393 with a Filing Date: Dec. 14, 2008.

Definition of Terms:

1. DT-LILT : Deep Tissue Low Intensity Laser Treatment or Therapy.

2. DT-LIL : Deep Tissue Low Intensity Laser.

3. DT-LILA : Deep Tissue Low Intensity Laser Ablation.

4. DT-LILNA : Deep Tissue Low Intensity Laser Neuroablation.

The use of terms DT-LILT, DT-LIL and DT-LILA are first defined here.

Scientific Concept of DT-LILT: A low intensity laser capable of producing cell resonance within the nerve cell can selectively cause destruction of the nerve cells without affecting the surrounding tissues. The selection of laser wavelength will depend on the absorption characteristics of the nerve cells. Heat may or may not be generated, perhaps not needed as the selective destruction takes place by cell resonance rather than heat coagulation. Use of DT-LILNA is first described here and is different from other medical or tissue lasers whose primary effect is through heat generation.

Delivery System for DT-LILT:

1. Laser Generator capable of generating the appropriate wavelength. Desirable in the 690 nm to 710 nm range. No other medical or tissue laser exists in the world today generating wavelengths between the 690 nm to 710 nm range except as described in this patent.

2. Laser fibers with diameters less than 0.7 and 0.5 mm.

3. Common Quincke Spinal Needle.

4. Laser fiber fixator through luer lock mechanism with the Quincke needle. Such fixation can also be achieved by making the laser fiber and the spinal needle as one non detachable unit.

Ideal Laser Characteristics:

1. Laser Wavelength: 700 nm to 705 nm

2. Laser Output Average Power: 4 mW to 6 mW (range 1 mW to 6 mW)

3. Laser Pulsation, pulsed at nano seconds or picoseconds

4. Laser is Timer controlled: 5 s and 10 s.

See Schematic Diagram (FIG. 1.) for the Laser Delivery System intended for use with DT-LILT.

Intra-operative Treatment Methodology:

Application: Facet Joint Neuroablation (synonymous medial branch neuroablation). Conventional neuroablation is contingent upon finding the medial branch nerve in an oblique/lateral X ray view and using heat or chemical substance to destroy the medial branch. The method described here is the first to use the simple AP X-ray view and pass laser or DT-LIL to cause the neuroablation DT-LILA or DT-LILNA

Definition of Laser Points: First described here are the laser points for using DT-LILT by use of the above delivery system (as represented in FIG. 1). Only the lumbar facet joint is represented here. These laser points are applicable to all facet joints including thoracic and cervical facet joints, when the size of the facet joint is smaller, the laser points and the laser area reduce but the pattern of laser delivery remains the same.

AP X-Ray view of Lumbar Facet Joints is depicted in (FIG. 2). Pertaining to FIG. 2: A: Facet Joint (also known as pars articularis), B: Lamina, C: Spinous Process

For Laser Points, See FIG. 3 to FIG. 9.

Laser points, A single lumbar facet joint shown here. 8 points in a circular fashion around the facet joint is shown in (FIG. 3).

Laser Points, A single lumbar facet joint shown here. Continuous circular fashion around the facet joint

(FIG. 4).

Laser Points, A single lumbar facet joint shown here. 8 points in a circular fashion around the facet joint

(FIG. 5).

Laser Points, A single lumbar facet joint shown here. Continuous cross fashion across the facet joint

(FIG. 6).

Laser Points, A single lumbar facet joint shown here. Continuous multiple cross fashion across the facet joint (FIG. 7).

Laser Points, A single lumbar facet joint shown here. Continuous intermittent fashion 4 across the facet joint (FIG. 8).

Laser Points, A single lumbar facet joint shown here. Continuous intermittent fashion multiple across the facet joint (FIG. 9). 

1. A method of laser therapy in the treatment of pain conditions by selective destruction of nociceptive or pain nerves, comprising the steps of: a. A laser generator that generates pulsed wavelength laser which is transmitted fiberoptically through a laser fiber and b. Attaching the laser fiber to a spinal needle and c. Using the spinal needle with the attached laser fiber to contact the area where pain nerves require destruction, Whereby, the pulsed laser with the wavelength as above is able to destroy the pain nerves on contact without affecting the other types of nerves or surrounding tissues.
 2. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of laser wavelength to be 700 nm to 705 nm with a range between 690 nm to 710 nm for optimal absorption of laser energy by pain nerves.
 3. The method as described in claims 1 and 2 further comprising the step of pulsation of the above laser wavelength to cause cell resonance within the pain nerves promoting self destruction.
 4. The method as described in claims 1, 2 and 3 further comprising the step which has the optimal average output power of laser to be 4 mW to 6 mW which is limited and adjustable within a range between 1 mW to 6 mW, whereby heat generation is prevented through low energy laser outputs, preserving the integrity of non pain nerves and surrounding tissues.
 5. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of attaching the laser fiber to a spinal needle by: a. Using a luer lock mechanism. b. Making the laser fiber and the spinal needle as one non detachable unit. Whereby movement and displacement of the laser fiber within and out of the spinal needle is prevented during treatment sessions consisting of insertion, contact, laser delivery and removal of the spinal needle and the laser fiber.
 6. The method as described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 further comprising the step of limiting laser delivery through timer control.
 7. The method as described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 wherein the said steps are guided by clinical diagnosis, fluoroscopy and related techniques for identifying the treatment area.
 8. The method as described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 wherein the said steps are guided by following specific patterns of laser contact and laser delivery for treating pain due to spinal facet joints whereby optimal pain relief is produced. 